Clawson gets DNR grant to plant more trees

Clawson is one of 21 cities in the state to get a grant from the state DNR to plant new trees starting in the spring of 2018. The city plans to plant trees chiefly in commercial areas outside of the downtown district. File photo by Bryan V. White — Digital First Media

Clawson is one of the cities statewide to get a share of thousands of dollars from the state Department of Natural Resources to plant new trees in their communities.

In Oakland County, only Oak Park received a similar matching grant from the DNR of $3,000.

Susie Stec, coordinator of Clawson’s Economic Development Department, said the city has also contributed money to its tree-planting program and will spend about $7,000 on new trees that will be planted mostly in commercial areas outside of the downtown district.

“Landscaping has been a hot issue for our planning department,” she said. “They want buildings and sites to look more attractive and have been paying attention to how they are landscaped with a diversity of (tree) species.”

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Clawson is set to purchase about 30 trees for planting that include autumn blaze maples, American lindens and thundercloud plumbs.

The DNR grant supplements the city’s annual tree-planting budget to put in new trees and replace older trees that have been lost.

Clawson officials haven’t pinpointed the exact locations where they will put the new trees this spring.

However, Stec said trees will be planted at Grant and Clawson City parks, as well as on West “14 Mile Road and Main Street outside the downtown’s main business district.

“We are an official Tree City,” she said. “In general, the tree canopy in Clawson is very important us and it enhances the overall look of the city.”

Trees add to the desirability of the community for new home buyers, businesses and residents alike, Stec added.

“Planting trees is also a way to be environmentally conscious,” she said.

Clawson was one of 21 communities that were announced to receive grants from the DNR this week totaling over $90,000.

“Trees that make up our urban and community forests help make our communities healthier, safe and more resilient places to live,” said Kevin Sayers, who coordinates the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, in a statement. “The projects funded through this program will enhance these valuable community assets and improve citizen awareness of the benefits they provide.”

Clawson was able to get the money for tree plantings from the DNR through a competitive grant program, which is a cooperative effort of the DNR and the U.S. Forest Service.